Structurally-stabilized capacitors and method of making of same

ABSTRACT

Structurally-stable, tall capacitors having unique three-dimensional architectures for semiconductor devices are disclosed. The capacitors include monolithically-fabricated upright microstructures, i.e., those having large height/width (H/W) ratios, which are mechanical reinforcement against shear forces and the like, by a brace layer that transversely extends between lateral sides of at least two of the free-standing microstructures. The brace layer is formed as a microbridge type structure spanning between the upper ends of the two or more microstructures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/495,719, filed on Feb. 1, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,667,502,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/386,316,filed Aug. 31, 1999, now abandoned entitled “Structurally-StabilizedCapacitors and Method of Making of Same”), the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to capacitors for semiconductorcircuit memory storage devices. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to highly stable, robust capacitor structures in semiconductorcircuit memory storage devices.

2. The Relevant Technology

In dynamic semiconductor memory storage devices it is essential thatstorage node capacitor cell plates be large enough to retain an adequatecharge in spite of parasitic capacitances and noise that may be presentduring circuit operation. The ability to maintain required storage nodecapacitance levels in densely packed storage cells is particularlyimportant as the density of DRAM arrays continues to increase for theforeseeable future generations of memory devices.

One known method for maintaining, as well as increasing, storage nodesize in densely packed memory devices is through use of self-alignedstacked-capacitor cells for 64-MB DRAMs formed as three-dimensionalcylindrical container structures. FIG. 1A illustrates conventionaldouble-sided cylindrical container structures 10 configured as a doublecrown structure. The cylindrical capacitor container structures 10 areformed over a first dielectric layer 1 that lies on a semiconductorsubstrate 12. Each of the cylindrical capacitor container structures 10are connected to one of the source and drain impurity regions 14 and 14′of one of the transistors 13 via a conductive plug 15. The containerstructures 10 are double-sided in that poly cylinders 16 have aconductively doped hemispherical grain (HSG) poly layer 17 formed onboth the inside and outside thereof, and a capacitor dielectric film 18surrounds the entire surface HSG layer of the storage node electrode.Then, a top capacitor electrode 19, such as poly, is formed to completethe storage cell 10.

Referring now to FIG. 1B which shows a portion of the process forfabricating the FIG. 1A conventional cylindrical container structures, asecond dielectric layer 2 is formed on the first dielectric layer 1, anda via hole 3 is formed through the second dielectric layer 2 inalignment with the plug 15 previously formed in the first dielectriclayer 1, and then the polysilicon layer 16 is deposited on thecylindrical walls of the via hole. The polysilicon is removed from theupper surface of the second dielectric layer 2 by planarization (e.g.,CMP) to yield the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 1B. In the nextprocess step, the second dielectric layer 2 is selectively etched awayuntil the first dielectric layer 1 and plug 15 is reached with theresulting structure as shown in FIG. 1C. A free standing cylindricalstructure 16 is left exposed without structural support over the firstdielectric layer 1 after removing the second dielectric layer 2. Infurther processing, the HSG 17, capacitor dielectric film 18 andelectrode 19 are sequentially formed on the cylinder structures 10 toyield the double crown structure (double container cell) shown in FIG.1A.

In FIGS. 2A-2D, a conventional fabrication scheme is shown forfabricating capacitor studs used in a high density array. In fabricatingthe conventional stud structures, as shown in FIG. 2A, via holes 27 areformed through a second dielectric layer 26 which is provided over afirst dielectric layer 21 arranged on a semiconductor substrate 22. Thesubstrate 22 has a transistor 23 including source and drain regions 24and 24′, and one of which is connected to the via holes 27 viaconductive plug 25. After the via hole 27 is formed through the seconddielectric layer 26 in alignment with the plug 25 previously formed inthe first dielectric layer 1, a metal or other conductive material 28 isdeposited so as to fill the via hole 27 and form the stud 28. The metalis removed from the surface of the second dielectric layer 26 byplanarization (e.g., CMP) to yield the intermediate structure shown inFIG. 2B. In the next process step, the second dielectric layer 26 isselectively etched away until the first dielectric layer 21 and plug 25is reached with the resulting structure as shown in FIG. 2C. A freestanding stud structure 28 is left exposed without structural supportover the first dielectric layer 21 after removing the second dielectriclayer 26. In further processing, the studs 28 have a conductively dopedhemi-spherical grain (HSG) poly layer 200 formed on their exteriorprofile, and a capacitor dielectric film 201 surrounds the entiresurface HSG layer 200 of the storage node electrode. Then, a topcapacitor electrode 202, such as polysilicon, is formed to complete thestorage cell 20.

The present inventors have determined that the yields of double-sidedcontainer or stud structures in high density memory arrays such asillustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2D above, respectively, has been loweredbecause of falling problems with the containers or studs that occurduring device fabrication. Namely, the containers and studs aresusceptible to falling over and breaking during etch back (i.e., removalof the second dielectric layer) or other further processing operationssuch as deposition of the capacitor dielectric film. The conventionalstuds or containers have relatively high sidewalls and a relativelysmall supporting “footprint” and thus do not have a strong foundation attheir bottoms. Consequently, they are very susceptible to toppling overwhen subjected to handling and/or processing forces. Nonetheless, asdemand for reduced feature size continues, there remains a need tofabricate very tall studs (e.g., 1.5 μm) and tall double sidedcontainers with relatively small “footprints”. However, the fabricationof taller studs (i.e., larger height-to-width (H/W) structures)exacerbates the falling problem as a given base dimension must supporteven taller walls. When the conventional stud or container structuresfall over they can short to an adjacent storage node poly, which willrender the adjacent storage cells shorted out. In a 64M DRAM, forinstance, even if there were only one out of 100K cells that had a shortdue to such falling, this would cause 640 random failures in the 64MDRAM. This number of failures would usually exceed the limited number ofredundant elements available for repair, and the entire memory devicewould be rendered unusable.

Consequently, a need exists in the art for container and stud structuresthat are not susceptible to falling problems during device fabricationand for a methodology for imparting such increased resistance tofalling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resolves the above and other problems that havebeen experienced in the art. More particularly, the present inventionprovides structurally-stable, tall capacitors having uniquethree-dimensional architectures for semiconductor devices. Although theconcepts of this invention are particularly useful in DRAM fabrication,the invention nonetheless has wider applicability to encompasssemiconductor devices in general where monolithically-fabricated uprightmicrostructures, i.e., those having large height/width (H/W) ratios,need mechanical reinforcement against shear forces and the like that areexperienced during processing and handling.

In one general embodiment, this invention concerns a monolithicsemiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate over which areformed a plurality of upright free-standing microstructures. A bracelayer is formed that transversely extends between lateral sides of atleast two of the free-standing microstructures. The brace layer isformed as a microbridge type structure spanning between the upper endsof the two or more microstructures. In order to form the braces, adielectric layer is used as a sacrificial layer in which a narrow grooveis formed and within which the brace layer is formed. Then, thesacrificial dielectric layer is removed after the brace is formed toleave a reliable three-dimensional microstructure in which a containeror stud is transversely supported very robustly by the brace layer. Thebrace layer is vertically spaced from a remaining dielectric layer toyield a braced, free-standing three-dimensional architecture that doesnot fall. Preferably, each brace layer ultimately extends to the edgesof the IC die active circuit area, where the brace locks to solidnon-active portions of the die surrounding the fabricated circuitry.

In one preferred embodiment, a method is provided to prevent the fallingof studs or double-sided containers in which a small width channel ismade after metal filling and planarization in the case of metal studs,or after container planarization in the case of containers forcapacitors. This small channel is filled with a dielectric differentfrom the dielectric layer in which the via hole was formed for the studor container, and having good adhesion with electrode material. Thechannel formation procedure is followed by etch back of the dielectriclayer, hemispherical grain deposition, capacitor dielectric deposition,and top electrode deposition, to complete formation of a capacitor.

This invention permits further maximization of capacitor storage cellsurface area in a high density/high volume DRAM fabrication process. Thecapacitor design of the present invention defines a stacked capacitorstorage cell that is useful in DRAM fabrication, however, it will beevident to one skilled in the art to incorporate these steps into otherprocesses for providing memory cells or other integrated circuitmicrostructures where a large height-to-width structure is required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when considered in conjunction withthe accompany drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1C are cross sectional views illustrating aconventional fabrication scheme for manufacturing cylindrical capacitorcontainers.

FIGS. 2A through 2D are cross sectional views illustrating aconventional fabrication scheme for manufacturing studs for a capacitor.

FIGS. 3A through 3F are cross sectional views illustrating a firstembodiment for manufacturing cylindrical capacitor containers accordingto the present invention.

FIGS. 4A through 4B are top views of the cylindrical containers of FIGS.3A-3F at several intermediate stages of processing.

FIGS. 4C and 4D top views of the connection of capacitor microstructuresto each other and to non-active portions of a die using a microbridgebrace layer according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of a memory module having memory chipsconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a processor-based system using RAM havingmemory chips constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 6A through 6E are cross sectional views illustrating an embodimentfor manufacturing studs for a capacitor according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top views of the cylindrical containers of FIGS.6A-6E at several intermediate stages of processing.

FIG. 7C is a top view representation of an array of capacitorsinterconnected by a dielectric bracing layer of this invention.

It will be understood that the drawings are provided for illustrativepurposes and that the depicted features are not necessarily drawn toscale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is particularly directed to maximizing storagecell surface area, as well as providing uniform and repeatable, defectfree, storage cell structures across a given substrate, in highdensity/high volume DRAM fabrication processes, although it is thoughtthat the invention has wider applicability as will become apparent fromthe exemplary embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3F, a fabrication scheme for forming a doublesided container capacitor of this invention is illustrated. Referring toFIG. 3A, a silicon wafer substrate 31 is prepared using conventionalprocess steps to provide circuit elements 32 each having a conventionalgate stack formed of an oxide, a conductor, such as polysilicon, anddielectric sidewall layers, and a doped diffusion regions 33 and 33′.That is, circuit elements 32 are illustrated as being transistors havingsource and drain impurity regions 33 and 33′. One of source and drainregions 33 and 33′ of each transistor has a conductive plug 35 connectedthereto which will be used to connect the transistor with a capacitorcontainer. The term “substrate” is meant to encompass a wafer, activeand passive devices formed within the wafer, and layers on the wafersuch as passivation and/or metallization layers, as well as SOI and thelike. A first dielectric layer 34 blankets the substrate 31. The firstdielectric layer 34 typically is planarized after its deposition, suchas by conventional chemical-mechanical-polishing (CMP) or reactive ionetching (RIE) used for this purpose. A polysilicon plug 35 fills acontact hole formed through the first dielectric layer 34. CMP is usedto remove those portions of the poly that are deposited on the surfaceof the first dielectric layer 34. The wafer has been processed up to thepoint of processing an array of storage cell capacitors. Capacitor cellfabrication will now follow. The storage capacitor of each memory cellwill make contact to the underlying diffusion region 33 via poly plug35.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a second dielectric layer 36 is formed over thefirst dielectric layer 34. Then, openings (via holes) 37 are formedthrough the second dielectric layer 36 by an anisotropic etchingtechnique, exposing plug 35. The first and second dielectric layers 34and 36 preferably are selected from among Si₃N₄, SiO₂, BPSG or Ta₂O₅. Apolysilicon layer 38 is formed over the second dielectric layerincluding over the walls and the plug at the bottom of the via holes.The polysilicon layer is formed of in situ doped polysilicon (poly). Anappropriate planarization technique, such as CMP or RIE etching, is usedto remove polysilicon on the horizontal flats of the second dielectriclayer 36 in order to isolate the poly layer 38 at each container whichprovides the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 3B.

Unlike conventional double-sided container processing, such asillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the present invention does not next proceedto an etch back of the second dielectric layer 36 to the plugs 35 atthis juncture of the processing. Instead, as shown in FIG. 3C, a narrowchannel 39 is etched into the surface 36′ of the second dielectric layer36, such as by using photolithographic techniques, such that the narrowchannel 39 intersects a plurality of the polysilicon cylinders 38 at theupper ends of the cylinders 38. For example, a photoresist can be spunonto the surface of second dielectric layer 36 and into via holes 37 andthen is patterned to define the location of channel 39 while protectingthe rest of the surface of the second dielectric layer 36 and theopenings 37 inside the poly layer 38. FIG. 4A is a top view of thecorresponding intermediate structure showing the narrow channel 39having sidewalls 39′ and 39″ formed in the surface of the seconddielectric layer 36. The channel width dimension “w” between sides 39′and 39″ of the channel 39 is preferably sized to be approximately thecontainer diameter “d” or less (i.e., the largest cross-sectionaldimension of the formation or less), to approximately one-half (50%) ofthe container diameter. The container at this stage of fabrication is ahollow cylinder.

In the next processing step, illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 3D andas a top view in FIG. 4B, a dielectric layer 390 made of a differentdielectric material than second dielectric layer 36 is deposited inchannel 39 to form a dielectric brace layer 390 extending betweenpolysilicon container layers 38. The container is kept masked duringthis step, such as with a photoresist 38′, so as to prevent unwanteddielectric from entering the container during filling of channel 39.After depositing brace layer 390, CMP is conducted to planarize thesurface of the device while the container is still masked.

This dielectric brace layer 390, which is deposited to prevent fallingof tall containers, and studs as illustrated in another embodimentdescribed herein, can be Si₃N₄, SiO₂, BPSG, Ta₂O₅ with the proviso thatit is a different material from the second dielectric material such thatthe second dielectric can be selectively etched away (wet or dryetching) while leaving the brace dielectric layer intact in a subsequentprocessing step.

As shown in FIG. 3E, the second dielectric layer 36 is selectivelyetched away until the first dielectric layer 34 and plug 35 is reachedwhile leaving the dielectric brace layer 390 intact. The brace layer 390remains suspended between outer lateral sides 16′ of the two polycylinders 38 at their upper ends (e.g., within the upper 50%, preferablythe top 25%, and more preferably the upper 10%, of the cylinder height)as a microbridge type of structure. A vertical space “s” or gap existsbetween the dielectric brace layer 390 and the upper surface 34′ of thefirst dielectric layer 34. In this manner, the second dielectric layer36 is used as a type of sacrificial layer. For example, if the seconddielectric layer is BPSG or SiO₂ and the dielectric brace layer 390 issilicon nitride, the second dielectric layer 36 can be selectivelyetched away using HF or HF+water, which will not remove the siliconnitride brace layer 390. On the other hand, if silicon nitride is usedas the second dielectric 36 while SiO₂, BPSG, or Ta₂O₅ is used as thedielectric brace layer 390, the silicon nitride can be selectively etchremoved using phosphoric acid. A free standing cylindrical structure 38is left exposed with transverse structural support from brace layer 390over the first dielectric layer 34 after removing the second dielectriclayer 36.

The dielectric brace layer 390 usually will extend to other containersnot shown in the figures so as to form a mechanical bracing supportspanning between a considerable series of different containers along thecommon linkage of brace layer 390. Although a plurality of separatebrace layers 390 can be used, it is also possible to provide more thanone dielectric brace layer where they intersect at a container (orcontainers) such that a two-dimensional network or lattice of dielectricbrace layers is formed through-out the array of containers (FIG. 4D).Also, the depth of the channels 39 formed that determines the thicknessof the dielectric brace layer 390 is a function of the H/W containerdimensions, the dielectric material used, and other factors. From afunctional standpoint, the size of the dielectric brace layer must beselected to be large enough to provide lateral buttressing forcessufficient to substantially if not completely prevent the fallingproblems, yet not be so large that the relative weight of the bracelayer becomes a factor. As to the width “w” of the brace layer 390, thebrace generally has a width equal to or less than the largestcross-sectional dimension of the microstructures, which is the cylinderdiameter “d” for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the transverse or lateral directions mentionedherein indicate the x- and y-directions, or a combined vector thereof,across the flat major surfaces of the dielectric layers. The dielectricbrace layer 390 can be deposited by chemical vapor deposition techniquesconventionally used to deposit these materials. The dielectric bracematerial also must have good enough adhesion to a top electrode materialto be applied in a later processing step such that there is no peelingduring further processing.

Referring to FIGS. 4C and 4D, each brace layer 390 not only connects aplurality of container capacitor microstructures 38 near theirrespective tops but it also ultimately extends to the edges of the ICdie active circuit area 395, where the brace 390 locks to solidnon-active portions 396 and 396′ of a die 397 provided at the sameelevation level as the brace layer 390. The non-active portions 396 and396′ of the die 397 are adjacent the fabricated circuitry 395. The bracelayer 390 can extend linearly between the tops of capacitormicrostructures 38 between non-active portions 396 and 396′ of the die397, or, as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the brace layer 390 canfollow a non-linear path before being anchored at its respective ends390′ and 390″ at non-active areas 396 and 396′ of the die 397. Thisprovides an anchored system of braced-tall containers (or braced-tallstud capacitors according to a separate embodiment of this inventiondescribed in connection with FIG. 6E). In this way, the containers 38are afforded good mechanical support in at least transverse or lateraldirections to fortify the three-dimensional free-standing containermicrostructures to be defined during removing the second dielectric 36and subjecting the in-process wafer to further handling and processingoperations which are described below.

As shown in FIG. 3F, in further processing to complete the containerstructure after forming the brace layer 390, a conductively dopedhemi-spherical grain (HSG) poly 391 is formed on both the inside andoutside of the poly layer 38 thereof. This is done so that a doublesided container can be fabricated. The hemispherical grain layer (HSG)can be formed by deposition or vacuum annealing the poly layer 38according to known techniques. If the HSG is deposited, a blanket etchof the HSG typically follows that results in the formation of HSG polythat is texturized or rugged poly. A capacitor dielectric film 392 isformed that surrounds the entire surface HSG layer 391 of the storagenode electrode. The capacitor dielectric can be formed of Si₃N₄, Ta₂O₅,BST, PZT, SBT, or SiO₂ and the like. It can be deposited by LPCVD,PECVD, and so forth, to a desired thickness with regard to thecapacitance of the device. The thin dielectric film 392 can be annealedto stabilize the film. Then, a top electrode 393 is formed to providetwo containers 394 configured as a double crown structure (doublecontainer cell) as shown. The electrode material can be polysilicon,HSG, Pt, RuO_(x), Ru, Ir, Pt+Rh, TiN, WN_(x), or TaN and the like. Thetop electrode 393 typically is a doped conformal poly layer that blanketcovers the capacitor dielectric 392 and serves as a common capacitorcell plate to the entire array of containers formed.

The dielectric brace layer 390 takes up relatively littlecircumferential room around the upper end of the container (i.e., theend opposite the end in contact with first dielectric layer 34), so theHSG layer 391, capacitor dielectric 392 and top electrode 393 can beformed without being disturbed by the presence of the dielectric bracelayer 390. The gap “z” between the top electrode 392 and the surface ofthe first dielectric layer 34 being approximately 2 μm for manycapacitor structures of DRAMs. Conventional process steps are performedfrom this point on to complete the semiconductor device.

FIG. 5A is plan view of a memory module 500 having memory chips 50-58including semiconductor memory devices constructed in accordance withthe present invention. That is, chips 50-58 have a DRAM cell such asdescribed in connection with FIG. 3F (or FIG. 6E infra). Memory module500 is a SIMM (single in line memory module) having nine memory chips(IC's) 50-58 aligned on one side of a printed circuit board substrate.The number of such memory chips in the SIMM typically will vary between3 to 9. The circuit board 501 has an edge connector 502 along onelongitudinal edge to permit it to plug into a memory socket on acomputer motherboard of conventional design (not shown). A wiringpattern (not shown), which can be a conventionally known design for thispurpose, is formed on the board 501 and connects the terminals or leadsshown comprising the edge connector 502 to the memory chips 50-58. Smallceramic decoupling capacitors 59 are also mounted on substrate 501 tosuppress transient voltage spikes. Other than the inventive memorydevice structures used in memory chips 50-58, the general layout of theSIMM 500 can be a conventional construction.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a processor-based system 504 using RAM 512constructed in accordance with the present invention. That is, RAM 512uses a DRAM cell such as described in connection with FIG. 3E (or FIG.6E infra). The processor-based system 504 may be a computer system, aprocess control system or any other system employing a processor andassociated memory. The system 504 includes a central processing unit(CPU) 505, e.g., a microprocessor, that communicates with the RAM 512and an I/O device 508 over a bus 511. It must be noted that the bus 511may be a series of buses and bridges commonly used in a processor-basedsystem, but for convenience purposes only, the bus 511 has beenillustrated as a single bus. A second I/O device 510 is illustrated, butis not necessary to practice the invention. The processor-based system504 also includes read-only memory (ROM) 514 and may include peripheraldevices such as a floppy disk drive 507 and a compact disk (CD) ROMdrive 509 that also communicates with the CPU 505 over the bus 511 as iswell known in the art.

FIGS. 6A through 6E are cross sectional views illustrating an embodimentfor manufacturing studs for a capacitor according to the presentinvention. In fabricating the inventive stud capacitors, as shown inFIG. 6A, via holes 67 are formed through a second dielectric layer 66over a first dielectric layer 61 arranged on a semiconductor substrate62. The substrate 62 has a circuit element 63, such as a transistor,including impurity source and drain regions 64 and 64′. One of thesource or drain regions 64 is connected to the via holes 67 viaconductive plug 65. After the via hole 67 is formed through the seconddielectric layer 66 in alignment with the plug 65 previously formed inthe first dielectric layer 61, a metal or other conductive material 68(e.g., Al, Al-alloys, W, highly doped poly) is deposited so as to fillthe via hole 67 and form the stud 68. The metal is removed from thesurface of the second dielectric layer 66 by planarization (e.g., CMP)to yield the intermediate structure shown in FIG. 6B. In the nextprocess step, a narrow channel is formed in the surface 66′ of thesecond dielectric layer 66 between the studs 68 and other studs notshown in the partial view using the techniques described above inconnection with channel 39 in FIG. 3C. FIG. 7A is a top view of thecorresponding intermediate structure showing a narrow channel 69 havingsidewalls 69′ and 69″ formed in the surface of the second dielectriclayer 66. The channel width dimension “w” between sides 69′ and 69″ ofthe channel 69 is preferably sized to be approximately the stud diameter“d” or smaller, such as approximately 50% of the diameter “d” althoughnot limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the channel is then filled with a dielectric bracelayer 690 similar to brace layer 390 discussed in connection with FIG.3D except that the dielectric brace layer 690 here interconnects metalstuds instead of poly cylinders. The result is also shown in the topview of FIG. 7B.

The second dielectric layer 66 is then selectively etched away bymethods described above in connection with FIG. 3E until the firstdielectric layer 61 and plug 65 is reached with the resulting structureshown in FIG. 6D. A free standing stud structure 68 is left exposed withtransverse structural support from brace layer 690 over the firstdielectric layer 61 after removing the second dielectric layer 66. Infurther processing, the studs 68 have a conductively dopedhemi-spherical grain (HSG) poly layer 600 formed on their exteriorprofile, and a capacitor dielectric film 601 is provided over the entiresurface HSG layer 600 of the storage node electrode. Then, a topcapacitor electrode 602, such as poly, is formed to complete the storagecell 60. The HSG film, capacitor dielectric film and top electrodelayers can be of the constructions described above.

As previously discussed above with reference to FIG. 4C in connectionwith the container capacitors illustrated in FIG. 3F, but as equallyapplicable to the stud capacitors of this embodiment, the brace layer690 may extend to the edge of the die active area for anchoringpurposes. In FIG. 4C, each brace layer 390 ultimately extends to theedges of the IC die active circuit area 395, where the brace 390 locksto solid non-active portions 396 and 396′ of a die 397 around oradjacent to the fabricated circuitry to further anchor the braced-tallcapacitor microstructures. FIG. 7C shows an analogous top view of an ICdie active circuit area where the brace 690 extends between studs 68. Inthis way, the studs 68 are afforded good mechanical support in at leasttransverse or lateral directions during removal of the second dielectric66 and further wafer handling and processing operations.

For the embodiments described herein, additional conductive andpassivation layers are formed thereover to complete the DRAM devices asis known to those skilled in the art. While the figures only show alimited number of capacitors being formed for sake of clarity, it willbe understood that a multitude of cells will be simultaneouslyfabricated in a similar manner on the substrate. Also, the capacitor canbe used in other chips in addition to DRAMs. That is, the invention isapplicable to any semiconductor devices needing a capacitor, such asDRAM and embedded DRAM. Although illustrated in connection withcylindrical container, or stud structures, the invention also could beused for a storage node formed as a pillar or villus structure. Also,non-cylindrical shaped containers or studs are also contemplated forpractice within the scope of the invention such as bar or rectangularshapes, oval, and so forth. Additionally, the principles and teachingsof this invention are generally applicable to other tallmicrostructures, and are not necessarily limited to features of acapacitor.

While the present invention is described herein with reference toillustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those havingordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided hereinwill recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodimentswithin the scope of the present invention.

1. A monolithic semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductorsubstrate; a plurality of microstructure stud capacitors formed over thesubstrate; a brace transversely extending between lateral sides of atleast two of the microstructure stud capacitors for supporting the atleast two stud capacitors; and a vertical space between said brace andsaid semiconductor substrate, wherein the brace comprises a dielectricmaterial, and wherein the brace interconnects substantially all of thestud capacitors.
 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherethe brace is located substantially near upper ends of the studcapacitors.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, whereinthe brace comprises a microbridge structure extending above thesubstrate and between two or more of the stud capacitors.
 4. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 1, where the stud capacitorseach comprise a conductor material portion standing upright over thesubstrate, and wherein the brace interconnects the conductor materialportions of two or more of the stud capacitors.
 5. The semiconductordevice according to claim 1, wherein the stud capacitors each comprisegenerally solid cylindrical shapes and the brace comprises a microbridgestructure.
 6. A monolithic semiconductor device comprising: asemiconductor substrate; a plurality of microstructure stud capacitorsformed over the substrate; a brace transversely extending betweenlateral sides of at least two of the microstructure stud capacitors forsupporting the at least two stud capacitors; and a vertical spacebetween said brace and said semiconductor substrate, wherein the bracecomprises a dielectric material.
 7. A monolithic semiconductor devicecomprising: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of microstructurestud capacitors formed over the substrate; a brace transverselyextending between lateral sides of at least two of the microstructurestud capacitors for supporting the at least two stud capacitors; avertical space between said brace and said semiconductor substrate; anda dielectric layer between the substrate and the brace, where the braceis vertically spaced from the dielectric layer.
 8. A monolithicsemiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a pluralityof microstructure stud capacitors formed over the substrate; a bracetransversely extending between lateral sides of at least two of themicrostructure stud capacitors for supporting the at least two studcapacitors; and a vertical space between said brace and saidsemiconductor substrate; wherein the microstructure stud capacitorscomprise conductive material and the brace comprises a dielectric.
 9. Asemiconductor storage capacitor, comprising: a semiconductor substrate;a plurality of capacitor storage node microstructures formed over thesubstrate; and a brace transversely extending between lateral sides ofat least two of the microstructures for supporting the at least two ofthe microstructures, wherein the microstructures comprise generallysolid cylindrical shapes and the brace comprises a microbridgestructure, wherein said brace comprises a dielectric material, andwherein there is a vertical space between said brace and saidsemiconductor substrate.
 10. A semiconductor storage capacitor,comprising: a semiconductor substrate; capacitor storage nodemicrostructures formed over the substrate; a brace transverselyextending between lateral sides of at least two of the microstructuresfor supporting the at least two of the; and a dielectric layer betweensaid semiconductor substrate and said brace, wherein said brace isvertically spaced from said dielectric layer, the microstructurescomprise stud capacitors, and wherein there is a vertical space betweensaid brace and said semiconductor substrate.
 11. A memory circuit,comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a memory cell includingdiffusion regions; a dielectric layer on the substrate; conductive plugsextending vertically from an upper surface of the dielectric layer torespective diffusion regions; capacitor storage node microstructureseach formed over the dielectric layer and a respective conductive plug;and a brace transversely extending between and laterally supportingrespective lateral sides of at least two of the microstructures, whereinthe microstructures comprise generally solid cylindrical shapes and thebrace comprises a microbridge structure, and wherein there is a verticalspace between said brace and said semiconductor substrate.
 12. A memorycircuit, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a memory cellincluding diffusion regions; a dielectric layer on the substrate;conductive plugs extending vertically from an upper surface of thedielectric layer to respective diffusion regions; capacitor storage nodemicrostructures each formed over the dielectric layer and a respectiveconductive plug; and a brace transversely extending between andlaterally supporting respective lateral sides of at least two of themicrostructures, wherein the microstructures comprise stud capacitors,and wherein there is a vertical space between said brace and saidsemiconductor substrate.
 13. A processor system, comprising: aprocessor; and a memory circuit fabricated on a semiconductor chipcommunicating with the processor, said memory circuit comprising: asemiconductor substrate having a memory cell including diffusionregions; a dielectric layer on the substrate; conductive plugs extendingvertically from an upper surface of the dielectric layer to respectivediffusion regions; capacitor storage node microstructures each formedover the dielectric layer and a respective conductive plug; and a bracetransversely extending between and laterally supporting respectivelateral sides of at least two of the microstructures, wherein thecapacitor microstructures comprise capacitor studs, wherein there is avertical space between said brace and said semiconductor substrate. 14.An in-process semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductorsubstrate; at least two microstructures formed over the substrate, saidat least two microstructures comprising generally solid cylindricalshapes; at least one brace transversely extending between lateral sidesof said at least two microstructures, wherein said at least twomicrostructures are supported only by said at least one brace, andwherein said at least one brace comprises a single material layer; and adielectric layer between said semiconductor substrate and each of saidat least one brace, where said at least one brace is vertically spacedfrom said dielectric layer.
 15. A semiconductor support structure,comprising: a semiconductor substrate; microstructures formed over thesubstrate; a plurality of braces transversely extending between lateralsides of at least two of the microstructures for supporting the at leasttwo of the microstructures, wherein the plurality of braces comprise alattice support structure wherein said plurality of braces intersect atsaid microstructures, and wherein there is a vertical space between saidsupport structure and said semiconductor; and a dielectric layer betweensaid semiconductor substrate and each of said plurality of braces, wheresaid plurality of braces are vertically spaced from said dielectriclayer.
 16. A semiconductor storage capacitor, comprising: asemiconductor substrate; a plurality of capacitor storage nodemicrostructures formed over the substrate, said microstructures havingvertical surfaces; a brace transversely extending between the verticalsurfaces of at least two of the microstructures for supporting the atleast two of the microstructures, said brace being located substantiallynear the upper ends of said vertical surfaces of said microstructures;and a vertical space between said brace and said substrate, wherein thebrace comprises a dielectric material.
 17. A semiconductor storagecapacitor, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; capacitor storage nodemicrostructures formed over the substrate, said microstructures havingvertical surfaces; and a plurality of braces transversely extendingbetween the vertical surfaces of at least two of the microstructures forsupporting the at least two of the microstructures, said plurality ofbraces being located substantially near the upper ends of said verticalsurfaces of said microstructures, wherein said plurality of bracescomprise a dielectric material, and wherein there is a vertical spacebetween said plurality of braces and said semiconductor substrate.